These are unusual, difficult times for young people and families. Fortunately, there are many resources available to those who need assistance during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) public health emergency. We’ve collected some of them here to help youth and families stay healthy, keep up with their bills, and make sure their needs are being met. Thank you to Milwaukee Christian Center for helping us collect this information. Submit your resource to lkaiser@communityadvocates.net.
Community Advocates
Community Advocates’ sites are closed to the public during the Coronavirus public health emergency, but we are still providing services by phone and email, and our supportive housing and emergency shelter are still operating 24/7 with appropriate safety precautions. Some ways you can contact us:
Call: 414-270-2941
Email: Contact Us
Click: Details on How We're Providing Services during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
Click: Basic Needs Resources during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
Domestic Violence Services
Services for those who have experienced domestic violence are still available around the clock:
Call: Milwaukee Women’s Center’s 24/7 Crisis Line: 414-671-6140
Call: In an Emergency Situation: 911
Call: Sojourner Family Peace Center 24-Hour Hotline: 414-933-2722
Click: Sojourner Family Peace Center: Guidance on Filing Electronic TROs
Emergency Shelter
You can get a place in an emergency shelter and other resources by contacting Impact 2-1-1. Impact has temporarily suspended face-to-face appointments but they are conducting appointment by phone at the designated appointment time.
Click: Impact 2-1-1 or Impact’s Contact Information during COVID-19 Emergency
Call: 2-1-1 or 866-211-3380
Text: Text your zip code to 898-211
Milwaukee County Energy Assistance
All energy assistance application sites are closed to the public but appointments are being taken by phone. As of March 30, the program will only need to look at one month of the applicant's income. Schedule your appointment by calling or emailing:
Call: 414-270-4653
Click: KeepWarmMKE.org
Community Advocates Help for Renters
It’s important to keep paying your rent and utilities if you can so that you don’t face eviction or disconnection down the line. Here’s what you need to know:
Call: Rent HelpLine 414-270-4646
Email: renthelp@communityadvocates.net
Click: Tips for Milwaukee Tenants During COVID-19
Community Advocates Help for Landlords
Your tenants may be going through a hard time during the COVID-19 public health emergency, so it’s important to stay in contact with them to prevent problems from developing. Here’s how you can do it:
Call: Rent HelpLine 414-270-4646
Email: renthelp@communityadvocates.net
Click: Tips for Milwaukee Landlords During COVID-19
Resources for Families
The Parenting Network’s Parent HelpLine: 414-671-0566
Free, confidential coaching for parenting issues. Experienced parent coaches respond weekdays, Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. After hours, Impact 211 responds.
Basic Needs Assistance
Covering Wisconsin: COVID-19 Page
HealthWatch Wisconsin: COVID-19 Page
Hunger Task Force: COVID-19 Page
Hunger Task Force: Milwaukee County Emergency Food Sites Map
Impact 211: Referrals to emergency shelter and additional services and resources
Milwaukee Public Schools: COVID-19 Updates
MCTS Transit System: COVID-19 Page
Health & Mental Health Resources
Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
CDC: COVID-19 and Stress and Coping
CDC COVID Fact Sheets in Multiple Languages
Wisconsin Department of Health Services: COVID-19 Page
Milwaukee County: COVID-19 Dashboard
City of Milwaukee Health Department: COVID-19 Page
Mayo Clinic: COVID-19 and Your Mental Health
Mental Health America: Mental Health and COVID-19 Information and Resources
Mental Health America Webinars on COVID-19 Mental Health and Wellness
Disaster Distress Helpline:
- English: 1-800-985-5990
- Deaf/Hard of Hearing: Text TalkWithUs to 66746; use your preferred relay services to call the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990; TTY 1-800-846-8517
- Spanish: Call 1-800-985-5990 and press “2”; from the 50 States, text Hablanos to 1-787-339-2663; from Puerto Rico, text Hablanos to 1-787-339-2663; click here for more information
Meta House: Recovery Resources
Milwaukee Coalition of Children's Mental Health: COVID-19 Resources
NAMI: COVID-19 Resource and Information Guide (Updated)
Rogers InHealth: COVID-19 Compassion in Action
SAMHSA: Virtual Recovery Resources
Sesame Street in the Community: Resources for Kids Whose Parents Are in Recovery
The Trevor Project: Helpline for LGBTQ+ Youth: 1-866-488-7386
UC-Davis: Coronavirus: Mental Health and Wellness During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Employment Resources
Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development COVID-19 information
Unemployment COVID-19 Public Information
Employment and Training COVID-19 Public Information
Worker’s Compensation COVID-19 Public Information
Vocational Rehabilitation COVID-19 Public Information
Equal Rights COVID-19 Public Information
Financial Resources
Financial Navigators Program: Receive free support over the phone from a Financial Navigator who is trained to link callers with referrals and resources to navigate all types of needs related to financial stability.
UW-Madison Extension: Financial Resources to Help Get through COVID-19
UW-Madison Extension: Recursos financieros que le pueden ayudar durante la pandemia de COVID-19
Free Internet & Phone Data
Spectrum is offering free 60 days of internet to anyone with school closings due to the coronavirus. There are no other requirements or documents needed. Just call 844-488-8395.
FCC agreement stating that providers will waive late fees, not cut off service for lack of payment, and open hot-spots.
Comcast COVID-19 response: offers free WiFi for 2 months to low income families plus all Xfinity hot-spots are free to the public during this time
Charter Free Internet offer for 2 months
AT&T COVID-19 response: offers open hot-spots, unlimited data to existing customers, and $10/month plans to low income families
Verizon COVID-19 response: no special offers, but following the FCC agreement.
Sprint COVID-19 response: follows FCC agreement, provides unlimited data to existing customers, and, starting Tuesday, 3/17/2020, will allow all handsets to enable hot-spots for 60 days at no extra charge.
T-Mobile COVID-19 response: follows FCC agreement, plus unlimited data to existing customers, and, coming soon, will allow all handsets to enable hot-spots for 60 days at no extra charge.
Youth Development Resources
Milwaukee PBS Online Learning Schedule and Educational Resources
Safe and Sound’s Daily Plug-in
Youth-focused Zoom + Facebook Live discussion everyday at 3 p.m.
Simple daily art lessons on Facebook led by artist from the Kennedy Center for the Arts.
Milwaukee Public Library: Digital Resources
Joshua Smith Daily Puppet Shows: Great for younger children
Milwaukee native uses puppets to discuss COVID-19 and being home from school. Check out the adventures of puppets Gizmo, Jamal, Commander Cluck, and Brother Joshua every day 10-10:30 a.m. via Facebook live.
10 Family Card Games that Support Early Math Skills
Secure Futures: Online financial literacy courses for teens
Last updated: April 9, 2020
